Google "swarm theory" and be enlightened. The starlings' behavior can be captured by two or three simple rules that each bird executes... like "stay twenty inches away from other starlings" and "fly away from falcons".

Personally I find this to be a cop out. It answers the question what they do, not how they do it. The idea that the behaviour can be captured by two or three simple rules excludes so many variables from the equation that it isn't even funny any more. It might be an useful tool to describe the movement but it does not answer the question about how it is done.

Q: How do birds manage to fly around in huge groups without bumping in to each other?A: By keeping their distance from each other

Q: How did Mitt become rich?A: By getting a lot of money.

Q: How did Queen write such good music?A: By picking the right chords and put them in a pleasing order

Q: How could Hussein Bolt run so fast?A: By rapidly placing one foot in front of the other

All of those QA pairs are valid but I'm sure people would like to know more than what is provided here.

Headline = comically wrong fail stupidSubmitter = hiding in cave for the past five years

Google "swarm theory" and be enlightened. The starlings' behavior can be captured by two or three simple rules that each bird executes... like "stay twenty inches away from other starlings" and "fly away from falcons".